About

My Therapeutic Goals

It is my goal to look beyond symptoms and pathology to make contact with your authentic self. Our aim will be to bring out the possibilities and resources within you to activate your propensity towards health, and the inherent potential for growth we all share. I believe that inside every person there is a light that, when discovered, accepted, and integrated allows us to live from our true nature and experience internal freedom.

It is in relationship that we are formed, and it is also in relationship that we can heal and grow. My job is to provide a safe relationship that serves as a mirror, reflecting back your true nature and redirecting you to the wisdom, strengths and resources that reside within. I also view my role as a bridge, helping couples and families learn to see each other with shining eyes, providing a sense of safety and security for each other so that each person can feel known, loved and accepted for who they are. I believe that when we have this security, we can thrive.

My path so far…

Before I chose the career path of Psychotherapy, I spent many summers working in Northern Ontario and Quebec guiding youth on extended canoe trips with both Wapomeo and Project CANOE. After my undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, I travelled to Cuba where I worked as an intern through LifeCycles on an organic farm in Havana (ACTAF) for 4 months learning to garden and to speak Spanish. I also completed an organic farming program in B.C’s Gulf Islands, worked at Eva’s Initiatives homeless shelters for youth and The Victoria Women’s Transition House for women and children leaving abusive homes.

Before settling in Toronto, I travelled to India to study Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore. When I returned to Toronto, I pursued my passion for understanding human interactions and social justice through my MSW at the University of Toronto, and a Psychotherapy Diploma from The Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy (TIRP). For seven years after my schooling, I worked as a Psychotherapist in both private practice at the Commerce Court Health Centre (now Core Focus Health Group) and at Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service (BBYOS), a social service organization that works with young people between 12-25 years old providing free, long-term therapy. I also endeavoured to develop my Self through a regular yoga practice and my own psychotherapy process.

In 2010, I became a mother for the first time and again in 2012. I share my life with two amazing children and my wonderful husband.

In 2013, I was invited to join the Pine River Institute (PRI) team as a Psychotherapist and Team Manager. My family and I moved to Creemore, Ontario so that I could follow my dream. I was excited to be able to combine my love of wilderness with therapeutic work with youth, parents and families – but I learned so much more than that! My experience at PRI provided me with a rich opportunity for personal and professional growth. At Pine River I worked hard to develop my skills not only as a Psychotherapist for youth, but also for couples, families, trauma survivors and groups. I have enjoyed developing workshops, teaching yoga to the boys on my team, learning from my talented colleagues and inspiring clients and being a part of powerful parent retreats.

My current direction back into private practice is both scary and exhilarating. I am excited to share the deep gifts my teachers have bestowed upon me. My most powerful teachers have been the many clients who have shared their wisdom, struggles, solutions and courage with me. I also deeply appreciate the supervisors, teachers and colleagues who have supported me, and still support me, as I continue to endeavour to learn the art of psychotherapy, of relationship, of consciousness and of being human.